Portuguese Government boosts 2030 solar target by 11.4 GW, aiming for 85% renewable electricity mix by 2030.
Portugal raises 2030 solar target and accelerates renewable energy transition. The Portuguese government has unveiled an ambitious update to its 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC) with the aim of creating "a greener country, sooner." The revised plan sets forth a vision of achieving climate neutrality by 2045 and significantly increasing the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix.
Under the updated energy strategy, Portugal targets 80% of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2026 and aims to reach an impressive 85% by 2030. The plan specifically outlines a goal of 20.4 GW of operational photovoltaic (PV) systems by 2030, with 14.9 GW dedicated to utility-scale plants and 5.5 GW for distributed generation.
To ensure responsible solar plant deployment, the government has emphasized that it should not exceed 0.4% of the national territory and has called for fair compensation and community participation. In addition, the updated plan includes enhancements to authorization processes, designated areas, regulatory frameworks for distributed generation and energy communities, as well as new financial incentives.
Portugal has been making remarkable progress in solar energy, with its cumulative PV capacity reaching 2.59 GW by the end of 2022, surpassing other renewable energy sources. According to the latest statistics from Portugal's Directorate General for Energy and Geology (DGEG), the country added 118 MW of new solar capacity in the first four months of 2023.
BloombergNEF predicts further significant growth in Portugal's solar installations, estimating that the country's solar capacity will reach 1,363 MW by the end of 2023, a notable increase compared to 890 MW in the previous year.
From PV Magazine